Everyone experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County will be counted Thursday, Jan. 27 in what is known as the Point in Time (PIT) count.

Nationwide, the fourth Thursday of January is the one day of the year that anyone living in a tent, a car, RV or other place not meant for permanent habitation is counted. The purpose is to understand who is homeless, where they are homeless, and what barriers those experiencing homelessness may have.

Olympic Community Action Programs (OlyCAP) is the lead agency in Jefferson County for the PIT count. OlyCAP also has resources for those experiencing homelessness, and partners with Bayside Housing & Services and Dove House Advocacy Services in this annual count.

“More than ever, this count is important to prove the need for housing of all kinds, from shelters for families to permanent supportive housing,” said Kathy Morgan, director of Housing and Community Development for OlyCAP.

People interested in volunteering with the count in safe ways are invited to a Zoom training, set for 2 p.m. Friday, Jan 21.

Personal protective equipment will be provided to volunteers who are fully vaccinated and who are interested in doing outreach.

Those experiencing homelessness also will be provided with incentives for getting vaccinated this year.

For more information, email Allison Arthur at aarthur@olycap.org; type “PIT Volunteer” in the subject line.

The Homeless Housing and Assistance Act requires that each county in the state conduct a survey of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. This census is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.